News

Licensed premises get the once over

Officers from the Council’s licensing, environmental health, trading standards and noise pollution teams joined forces with the metropolitan police for a joint borough wide operation last weekend

Around 50 licensed premises, which included bars, night clubs and supermarkets, were visited.

A number of licensees were warned that noise levels were too high. Some bars were found to be open beyond licensed hours and Officers are now looking to progress matters through the Court process. Trading standards will be following up on intelligence about counterfeit goods and underage sales.

Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “These kind of joint operations are really effective because they tackle a range of potential issues at the same time. Overall the results were very good, the vast majority of licensees were very co-operative and not breaching the conditions of their licenses in any way.”

Shoreditch Safer Neighbourhoods inspector, Graham Simpson, also said: "Last week s operation enabled police and council officers to tackle a range of issues in one go. The results were very pleasing - the vast majority of licensees in Hackney take their responsibilities very seriously - both to their customers and residents who live near their premises. We will, of course, take robust action against the small minority of license holders who break the terms of their license."

The operation was organised by the Licensing Operational Enforcement Group (LOEG), which is made up of enforcement officers from across the council, police and fire brigade. The LOEG work together to target problem licensed premises.

For further information contact Hackney’s Licensing Team on 020 8356 4970 or licensing@hackney.gov.uk.